Month: April 2013
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Of Wildflowers & Ephemeral Beauty . . .
 North American Native, Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot) Is there anything lovelier than the unexpected surprise of wildflowers, scattered along a woodland path? My heart leaps like a little child at the sight of nodding Trout Lilies (Erythronium americanum), and snow-white Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), poking up like a miracle from bare ground. The fleeting nature of Spring’s […]
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Pretty in Pink: April’s Full Moon . . .
April’s Pink Moon is Named for the Color of Wild Ground Phlox, Which Blooms in Early Spring Be sure to keep watch for the Pink Moon rising tonight, April 25th, at 7:52pm ET. And if you’re up with the songbirds, as I am, you can also catch our lovely celestial neighbor as she sets, at […]
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Birds, Birds in the Garden, Early spring flowering plants, Early Spring Garden Plants, Music in the Garden, Native North American Woodlands, Native Plants, The Seasons, Witch hazel, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
Purple Finch & Springtime Blossoms: Rejoicing as Sleeping Beauty Awakes . . .
 Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) in Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) It’s been a raw and chilly April in Vermont, and yet springtime songbirds, undaunted by the lingering chill, have flocked to my garden in search of sustenance. Some species are merely passing through, but others will settle and set up summer residence. This month’s standout is the […]
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Books, companion planting, Cookbooks, Cooking, Gifts for Gardeners, Gourmet Garden, Kitchen, Planting Techniques, Vegetable Gardening, Vegetable Gardening/Potager
Vegetable Literacy by Deborah Madison, Plus a Springtime-Fresh Garden Recipe: Peas with Baked Ricotta & Breadcrumbs
Vegetable Literacy by Deborah Madison As organic vegetable gardeners, we know how important it is to become familiar with the various plant families and to develop an understanding of how they relate to one another in the garden. Botanical knowledge is key to avoiding many pests, diseases and cultural problems. Having recently reviewed the topics […]
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For the Love of Mother Earth . . .
Above the Connecticut River Let’s Make Every Day, Earth Day  Photography & Text â“’ Michaela Medina Harlow/The Gardener’s Eden. All images, articles and content on this site (with noted exceptions), are the original, copyrighted property of The Gardener’s Eden and may not be reposted, reproduced or used in any way without prior written consent. Contact […]
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Kitchen Garden Planning, Part Two: Companion Planting, Design & Layout
 In the Company of Friends: My Potager is Planned for Companionship! Fresh air, sunshine, a cool drink and a warm, cozy spot in the garden, surrounded by friends; I can’t imagine a better way to spend my summer days. Turns out, plants feel much the same way we do. Like humans, plants tend to grow, […]
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Early Spring Maintenance, Garden Design, Garden Maintenance, garden tools
Cutting Edge Garden Maintenance: Sharply Defining Beds & Borders . . .
 Cleanly cutting the edge of a border with a half-moon edger, and mulching the “V”, helps with maintenance throughout the growing year {Pictured: a client’s newly planted garden with English-style edging. Pretty vessel is by Vermont artist, Stephen Procter} Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and every gardener has their own, unique preference […]
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The Early April Landscape from Above
 Organic Weave: Hints of Green in the Tobacco Fields {Above Deerfield, Massachusetts} Up before sunrise to catch dawn’s honey-gold light, last Friday morning I toured the early April landscape beneath the wings of an agile Citabria. As we climbed to altitude, a haze of sheer, radiant color —violet, cherry, gold and willow— illuminated treetops and hills […]
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Kitchen Garden Planning, Part One: Designing a Pretty & Productive Potager
 I like to design kitchen gardens with both beauty & bounty in mind. Why does beauty matter in a vegetable garden? I’ve noticed that the prettier the garden, the more time I want to spend in it. Usually, the more time you spend in your potager, the more time you spend on your plants and […]
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Ready, Set, Grow! Springtime Gardening: Free Weekend Seminars in April & May, Sponsored by Walker Farm, Vermont
 Walker Farm Stand on Rt 5 in Dummerston, Vermont: Open Daily from 10am – 6pm, April 13th through Late November – Visit the Walker Farm Website Here Like most gardeners, I tend to celebrate the arrival of each season with favorite, annual traditions. And for me, spring just isn’t spring without a visit to Walker […]
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Sweet Anticipation: April’s First Blush
 Anticipating the Intoxicating Scent of  Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ It’s April first, and foolishly —thinking that surely we’ve seen the last of snow— we’re tempted to rush forward with our early season chores. And then —often without the slightest provocation or warning— Spring turns a cold cheek. Over the years, I’ve learned that in early […]
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